A Paludarium?

[blackfinshark_3]

first of all a paludarium is a tank which has water AND land in it, glad we got that outta the way

well since im focusing mostly on my 35g for a planted tank and i know my 10g will nevere come to the equivelant, i was thinking of a side project of changing it inot a paludarium.

I have an aquaclear mini which hangs off the back but i figure that I could still use it if i keep the water level high enough and make a mountain of rocks or put a piece of driftwood so the water doesnt fountain 4 inches but just rolls of into the tank. and also easier to switch media and materials

secondly i have a heater which you hang off the back, would it do anygood if i left it on and it just was dipped in the water 2-4 inches?

if not then maybe for this tank i could fill it with newts?

also im thinking of making the tank so its mostly a water paludarium but there are several pieces of driftwood and rocks sticking out randomly

any other types i might wanna know before i go at it?

 

[annka5]

The vast majority of heaters need to be fully submerged, otherwise tehy crack and break. Could you fit it at an angle in the deepest part of the water?
The filter- check if the pump needs to be submerged to a certain level first. If it's OK, I'd go for trying to make a waterfall-effect into the tank from teh filter output tube.
Creating the banks is going to be tricky in a smaller tank - the substrate is going to be inclined to settle out to an even layer, you'd need be very cunning in placing the bog-wood or rock work to avoid issues.
You could add some nice bog plants.
How about getting a bigger tank and adding archer fish...?

 

[Ami]

Hey blackfin - you might find this site of interest if you haven't already stumbled over it:

Chuck's Planted Aquaria

Chuck has helpfully described how he built the whole thing. Happy reading!

 

[blackfinshark_3]

yah ive worked it all out and i think i might want to put the chinese firebelly newts in 1 or 2, but if i make the land with sand would it be alright for them?

 

[Ami]

yah ive worked it all out and i think i might want to put the chinese firebelly newts in 1 or 2, but if i make the land with sand would it be alright for them?

Dunno anything about newts - go ask in Amphibians.

But I don't see why not. You'd need to shore it up with something though.

 

[ncjharris]

You don't say where you are blackfin, but if you are in or around London UK, there is a great aquarium shop in Central London that is fantastic for these tanks.
They had a couple of Paludarium on show - one included mangrove roots and the like and the other a sort of sloping bank.
Primarily they offer a service of setting up, stocking and maintaining a tank for those who want one but not the hassle (and have the money to pay for it), and they display some of their tanks in their basement.
Let me see if I can find their website......

I've been there for some hardware from work, and it is a very good shop - excellent marine stock.

EDIT: they website is http/www.aquaticdesign.co.uk/

 

[blackfinshark_3]

lol thats very nice of you but unluckly as it is for you (not for me, im proud of my country) i am from canada! im french canadian